Give your sad boring egg fried rice the maximum glow-up with ingredients you already have in your kitchen! Cook to impress with this quick Golden Fried Rice that feels fancy - without all the extra effort. This easy fried rice recipe is how you do bougie on a budget - in 10 minutes!
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🎥 Watch How to Make Golden Fried Rice
Fried rice is one of those comforting meals that feels like a warm hug in carb form. And let’s be honest, carbs make life better!
Need something quick & easy for breakfast while your brain is still turning on? How about a late-night meal to devour after surviving a night out? It's a fact that fried rice hits different when the moon’s out.
Or serve this as an impressive side for overbearing family, because nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like whipping up restaurant-worthy fried rice (in just 10 minutes).
🥘 Ingredients
This quick fried rice is a similar Pantry Staple Meal that comes together in Under 30 minutes like Egg Fried Rice BUT with different techniques for a meal fit for you, queennn!
Since eggs are the key to this Golden Fried Rice, use your freshest eggs for a richer flavor and deeper color! You can do a freshness test by dropping eggs into water. If they sink & turn to their sides, you’re in luck - they’re very fresh! Eggs that sink with the pointing side up are still fresh but a bit older. If they completely float, they’re old.
As for seasoning, this luscious yellow fried rice is seasoned with chicken bouillon to accentuate the richness of the creamy yolks!
See recipe card for quantities.
Do I Have to Use Day Old Rice to Make Golden Fried Rice?
The short answer is no… BUT cold leftover fried rice is ideal because it’s drier and rehydrates by absorbing the seasoning sauces for SUPER flavorful rice! And since it doesn’t have as much moisture as fresh rice, you’re not setting yourself up for mushy fried rice. Plus, it’s already cooked, so it makes life easier & gets into your hungry belly ASAP.
If you’re craving this golden rice recipe now though (I don’t blame you!) and need to use freshly cooked rice, no worries! Here are a few quick tips on how to prep fresh-cooked rice for fried rice:
- Cook Rice with Less Water: Drier rice is ideal for fried rice because it absorbs the liquid seasonings for much more flavorful fried rice. It also creates a flakey texture like Asian Takeout. This is also why cold day-old rice is typically used! If the rice is too wet, it’s most likely to turn clumpy, mushy, or soggy.
- Spread Out Freshly Cooked Rice to Cool: As soon as the rice is cooked, spread it out on a baking sheet or any large surface to cool down & further dry out. You can even pop it in the fridge to help speed up the process!
- Break Up Big Clumps: Before stir-frying, break apart any big clumps of rice to make sure the rice is evenly cooled down & will cook evenly.
👩🏽🍳 Key Tips
- Work in Small Batches: Avoid the trap of overcrowding your wok or pan because you’ll end up steaming your ingredients and end up with soggy mushy yellow fried rice. Instead, you’ll want to toast the ingredients and to do that….
- Cook on High on a Large Surface: Moisture (except the seasoning sauce) is not invited to this dinner party! Cook on high or medium-high heat to properly sear toast your ingredients and use the largest wok or pan you can to allow steam to escape instead of getting trapped.
- Season the Oil with Aromatics: This small step makes a difference since there aren’t many ingredients in this easy fried rice recipe! Once the oil is infused with the garlicky oniony flavors, that gets dispersed throughout the entire dish! Keep a close eye though so the aromatics don’t burn, otherwise, you’ll have to start over. Burnt garlic is SO unforgiving!
- Add Finishing Touches if You’re Feeling Fancy: This golden fried rice recipe is comforting and delicious as is, but if you’re feeling a little extra, say no more! Garnish is toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, or sliced green onions. Feeling spicy? Drizzle some garlicky chili oil or add a subtly nutty flavor with toasted sesame oil.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks & rice until well it’s evenly and well coated. There should be no clumps of rice!
Step 2: Heat a wok on medium-high with about a tablespoon of oil. Pour in egg whites, cook until it’s just set, then scramble and remove once it’s cooked.
Add a bit more oil if the wok looks dry, then toss in the whites of the green onions. Saute for a few seconds, until soft and fragrant, then add garlic. Cook for a few more seconds, until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the rice. Continuously stir the yolk rice, cooking for 1-2 minutes, or until it’s no longer wet. Once the rice starts to pop, season with chicken bouillon, salt, sugar, & sesame oil. Stir together so it’s evenly seasoned.
Toss in green onions, give a final few tosses to wilt, then garnish your fried yellow rice with toasted sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy!
💭 Recipe FAQs
If you have leftovers, allow it to cool to room temperature then store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you can toss it back in a hot wok or pan with a splash of water or heat in the microwave until warm.
Egg yolks are mixed into the rice for a vibrantly yellow fried rice. Use the freshest eggs you can find for even more flavorful meal and richer color!
🥗 More Fried Rice Recipes You’ll Love!
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Easy Golden Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 4 eggs yolks & whites separated
- 2 cups cooked white rice*
- 2 green onion whites & greens separated
- 7 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ¼ teaspoon chicken bouillon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Toasted sesame seeds optional for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine egg yolks & rice until well combined. Set aside.
- Heat a wok on medium-high with about a tablespoon of oil. Pour in egg whites, scramble, & cook until just set. Remove & set aside.
- Add a little more oil if the wok looks dry, then toss in whites of green onions & garlic. Saute for a few seconds & keep a close eye so they don’t burn.
- Toss in rice & mix well with aromatics. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the rice is no longer wet & eggs are cooked through.
- Season with chicken boullion, salt, sugar, & sesame oil, then mix well. Taste & add more salt if needed.
- Turn off heat, sprinkle on green onions & sesame seeds (if you’re feeling fancy!), then enjoy!
Notes
- Cold day-old Jasmine rice or long grain rice is best for flakey restaurant-style fried rice. Short or medium-grain rice is stickier and clumps together.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
Exact calculations may vary. For the most accurate nutritional information, use your preferred nutrition calculator, actual ingredients, and quantities used for the recipe. Please consult with your physician or registered dietitian if more precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
HEY, I'M MIKHA!
...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.
Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!
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